dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈdü-ti-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
 also  ˈdyü-
1
: filled with or motivated by a sense of duty
a dutiful child
2
: proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty
a dutiful effort
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

Examples of dutiful in a Sentence

the dutiful way he took care of his sick mother the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But neither was there the ho-hum, dutiful lassitude that usually accompanies second inaugurations, like Barack Obama’s in 2013. James Poniewozik, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 Yet everything remains the same for Delia, whose romantic fantasies have given way to an embrace of her roles as dutiful wife and loving mother despite the sneering condescension and outright physical abuse at the hands of her strutting petty tyrant husband Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea). Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2025 Charlotte’s frustration is inescapable as, during her dutiful daughter visits, her overbearing mom (Jennifer Grey) and financially supportive father (Kelsey Grammer) search for that gentle push to encourage her to date and figure out her purpose. Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025 Two of them, Lucas Poole and David Kaiser, have been known as the vocal, dutiful Day supporters. Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dutiful 

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dutiful was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near dutiful

Cite this Entry

“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

dutiful

adjective
du·​ti·​ful ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
: having or showing a sense of duty
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dutiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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